CHENNAI:A city-based real estate businessman was hacked to death in broad daylight on a highway near a toll plaza at Chengalpattu on Thursday. Police suspect the cold-blooded murder was carried out by a gang that was commissioned because of enmity over a property dispute.
The victim, S Abinesh Babu (51), of Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, was travelling in his car and stepped out to have tender coconut from a roadside shop when he was surrounded by an armed gang of three members.
After hacking him repeatedly, the gang fled on motorbikes leaving Babu in a pool of blood. The incident took place around 1.15 pm and the police said it has been captured by CCTV cameras at the toll plaza.
Police sources said Babu was having a prolonged property dispute with a city-based lawyer and police had begun probing if he had any role in the murder.
“The case was over encroachment of land worth about Rs 2.5 crore and the case is being probed by CB-CID. The victim had already asked for security as he faced life threats. The gang seems to have followed him from Chennai and attacked himwhen he stepped out of the car,” said a police officer.
The businessman, who was running the Narayana Guru Builders in the city was headed to Gingee. The car was driven by his driver M Dinesh Kumar. Police said the driver had also stepped out and was a few meters away when the gang attacked Babu.
Kumar, who witnessed the murder told police that he saw three people repeatedly hacking his master using sickles. Before he could reach for help, the gang fled. Babu had suffered severe injuries on his neck and face. He died before the ambulance could reach Chengalpet GH.
On information, the Chengalpet town police team went to the spot to conduct preliminary inquiries. Police have registered a case of murder.